MC poll: irregularities in rolls
allegedShimla, March 3
The Shimla District Congress Committee (Urban) has alleged large-scale irregularities and manipulations during the ongoing revision of electoral rolls for the ensuing Municipal Corporation poll and threatened to launch an agitation if the discrepancies are not removed by March 12.

Virbhadra draws party leaders’ ireShimla, March 3
The war of attrition between the warring Congress factions further intensified today with six district party presidents taking exception to the statement of Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Congress Legislative Party leader, that it required experience and calibre to don the mantle of Chief Minister and holding the post of party president for a brief period was not a qualification for it.

MLA boycotts dist planning
committee meetingBilaspur, March 3
A former Himachal Health Minister and the MLA from the Kotkehloor constituency in the district, Mr Ramlal
Thakur, here today registered his protest against the “undemocratic and despotic functioning” of the District Planning, Development and 20-point Programme Committee by boycotting its meeting at Bachat Bhavan.

Rs 25 crore for Chamera projectChamba, March 3
Mr Mohan Lal, Minister of State for Ayurveda, said here today that Rs 25 crore had been sanctioned for speeding up work on the 231-MW Chamera Hydroelectric Project (state-III) on the Ravi in Chamba district in the next financial year.

Karzai cherishes memories of Shimla: ProfShimla, March
3
Hamid Karzai, head of the interim government in Afghanistan, was overwhelmed with nostalgic memories of Shimla when he met his old teacher at the lunch hosted by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in honour of the visiting dignitary on Wednesday last.

A project brings prosperityNurpur
The World Bank-aided Kandi Development Project (Integrated Development Watershed Project) has brought a sea change to poor farmers of Pargana village in this subdivision. Gone are the days when farmers had to rely on the rain god for cultivation of their crops. They have been growing three crops in a year. Earlier they were growing only maize and wheat.

Remove tin roof over idols: residentsChamba, March 3
Intellectuals and heritage conscious persons of the region have demanded the removal of the structure of tin roof over the rock sculpture raised by the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) recently, which proves an eyesore to worshippers, tourists and others.

World congress on environment controlPalampur, March 3
The IV World Congress on Environment Management will be held here on June 7 to 9 this year. The congress is being organised jointly by the World Environment Foundation, World Quality Council and World Council for Corporate Governance.

Notice to HP coop bank boardShimla, March 3
The Himachal Government has served a show-cause notice on the Board of Directors of the state cooperative bank headed by Mr K.K.
Kaushal.

Police told to register case against in-lawsNurpur, March 3
Mahinder Singh of Rihali village of Jawali subdivision heaved a sigh of relief when the Judicial Magistrate Ist Class here asked the Indora police to register a case against the in-laws of his daughter Sandesh Kumari on Friday who has been missing since January 11 from her in-laws house at
Chalwara. Mahinder Singh had filed complaints with the Indora and Jawali police against the in-laws of his daughter.

3 die, 15 hurt as bus falls into khudSolan, March 3
Three persons died on the spot and 15 were injured, 10 of them seriously, when a HRTC bus rolled down a 300-foot-deep khud near
Sandoli, 6 km from Darlaghat, late last evening.

Shimla, March 3
The Shimla District Congress Committee (Urban) has alleged large-scale irregularities and manipulations during the ongoing revision of electoral rolls for the ensuing Municipal Corporation poll and threatened to launch an agitation if the discrepancies are not removed by March 12.

Mr Harbhajan Singh and Mr Ashok
Sood, president and general secretary, respectively, of the committee, pointed out at a press conference here today several discrepancies in the revised voter list, like the inclusion of non-residents and fake voters, registration of one voter in more than one ward and deletion of names of several voters, particularly those belonging to a minority community. They alleged that on an average, 200 to 250 voters had been wrongly included and almost an equal number deleted in each of the 24 wards.

Referring to specific cases, they said the number of voters in Kutub Masjid and Kashmiri Masjid had been reduced from 250 to a meagre 12. This reflected the extent to which the voter list was being manipulated by the powers that be, they said. Most of the minority community voters whose names had been deleted had exercised their franchise during the last Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. A large number of residential buildings had been omitted from the list while fake voters had been registered in commercial premises. In certain cases, more than 40 voters had been registered against a two-room house, they alleged.

Citing cases of double registration, they said the family of BJP councillor Bimla Kashyap had been recorded in Ward No. 13 first from serial Nos. 375 to 383 and then again from serial Nos. 451 to 467. Intriguingly, the name of the building had not been recorded.

In the same ward, 61 voters had been shown against a single address (serial Nos. 759-799, 804-819 and 828-831). The lists were not compiled by conducting actual house-to-house visits but under instructions from persons with vested interests, the office-bearers alleged.

In Kaithu locality, 13 buildings, including Gosain House, Lal Cottage, Beant Cottage, Ram Bagh, Tapovan, Nasheman Cottage, Jamal Cottage, Jamal Manzil and Kashyp Nivas, have been omitted from the list. On the other hand addresses of shops and other commercial establishments have been used to register up to 10 fake voters each.

In certain polling booths, like Vidhan Sabha (No. 13(4)), the number of voters had fell from 690 to 243 in the revised list. The two leaders alleged that the Deputy Commissioner had not taken any corrective action even though the party had brought these discrepancies to his notice. Besides starting a stir to expose the fraud, the party would also take legal action in the matter, they said.

Shimla, March 3
The war of attrition between the warring Congress factions further intensified today with six district party presidents taking exception to the statement of Mr Virbhadra Singh, the Congress Legislative Party leader, that it required experience and calibre to don the mantle of Chief Minister and holding the post of party president for a brief period was not a qualification for it.

In a joint statement here today, the district presidents of
Kangra, Shimla (urban), Shimla (rural), Bilaspur, Solan and Hamirpur, said the outburst of Mr Virbhadra Singh at this juncture only betrayed the prevailing sense of insecurity in his mind.

They said Mr Virbhadra Singh, who had himself remained party president, fully understood the importance of coveted party office. Moreover, the PCC chief, particularly when the party was in Opposition, was selected on the basis of merit and experience. This was also reflected in the fact that in most states the party presidents ultimately took over as Chief Minister.

The Governor and the Chief Minister prayed for the peace of the departed soul.

Prof Dhumal, in a condolence message, said Mr Balayogi was a seasoned politician, a statesman and a great parliamentarian who maintained high traditions of democracy while conducting the Lok Sabha.

Mr Shanta Kumar said Mr Balayogi handled crucial and difficult issues efficiently and with utmost impartiality, a report from Dharamsala said. “His
death, besides being a national loss is my personal loss too”, the minister added

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gulab Singh Thakur also condoled the death of Mr Balayogi. He said that Mr Balayogi would be remembered for upholding traditions of parliamentary democracy and for the smooth conduct of the house.
UNI

Bilaspur, March 3
A former Himachal Health Minister and the MLA from the Kotkehloor constituency in the district, Mr Ramlal Thakur, here today registered his protest against the “undemocratic and despotic functioning” of the District Planning, Development and 20-point Programme Committee by boycotting its meeting at Bachat Bhavan. The meeting was presided by Himachal Cooperatives, Information and Public Relations Minister Rikhiram Kondal.

Later, addressing mediapersons at Circuit House, Mr Thakur alleged that he was informed about the meeting only on February 28 and not given information about its agenda.

He said the meeting was summoned only to get the “seal of approval” of committee members for projects announced by two ministers of the district, Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda and Mr Rikhiram Kondal.

Shimla, March 2
As many as 15 murders and three suicides have been reported in Chamba district in the past 13 months.

Besides, cases of 90 accidental deaths have also been reported. According to a written information provided by the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, to Ms Asha Kumari (Congress) in the Vidhan Sabha yesterday, eight of the cases were under trial, while the others were being investigated.

The tribal area of Tissa tops with 6 murders last year.

In a written reply to Mr Harsh Mahajan (Congress), the Minister of State for Urban Development informed him that 54 unauthorised constructions had been identified in the Panthaghati, Kasumpti and Mehli areas of Shimla. The Shimla Municipal Corporation has issued notices to the owners of these buildings.

The Chief Minister informed Mr Kaul Singh (Congress) that an expenditure of Rs 50,02,635 had been incurred by the government on account of state guests.

Chamba, March 3
Mr Mohan Lal, Minister of State for Ayurveda, said here today that Rs 25 crore had been sanctioned for speeding up work on the 231-MW Chamera Hydroelectric Project (state-III) on the Ravi in Chamba district in the next financial year.

The minister said the project would cost about Rs 1,500 crore.

He said initially Rs 1.50 crore would be spent by the end of March on the infrastructure for the project. He said the project would provide livelihood to residents of the Lilh, Vales, Dharwala, Dunali, Gehra, Durgathi and Kharamukh belts in particular.

The minister said a 26-km road from Bagga to Khadamukh within the project area would be widened and a bridge over the Ravi would also be constructed.

On the issue of oustees of the Chamera project (stage-II), he said the Industries Minister, Mr Kishori Lal, who was the chairman of the relief committee for the ousted families, would present his report to the Chief Minister, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, following which a package would be announced for them.

Shimla, March
3
Hamid Karzai, head of the interim government in Afghanistan, was overwhelmed with nostalgic memories of Shimla when he met his old teacher at the lunch hosted by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in honour of the visiting dignitary on Wednesday last.

Prof Gopal Singh, Head of Department of Political Science at Himachal Pradesh University, said it was a lifetime experience and was just like touching the sky.

“What more could I expect than seeing my student rising to the position of Head of a state,” he told PTI adding that it was very satisfying and
gratifying.

Karzai was very warm, respectful and affectionate and enquired about his health and family, especially
children, Prof Gopal Singh said.

When Dr Gopal Singh told Karzai that the cancellation of his visit to Shimla had disappointed his friends and admirers, the Afghan leader assured that he would visit the Himachal capital to attend a seminar being organised here from May 8 to 10 next.

“I will definitely come and reserve one session for me,” he told Dr Gopal Singh.

Himachal University had arranged a special convocation to confer the degree of D.Litt. On Karzai during his
visit.

Karzai described Shimla as his second home and said that his teachers and his experiences during his stay here — when he was a post -graduate student— had all along remained a source of inspiration for him, Dr Gopal Singh said.
PTI

Nurpur
The World Bank-aided Kandi Development Project (Integrated Development Watershed Project) has brought a sea change to poor farmers of Pargana village in this subdivision. Gone are the days when farmers had to rely on the rain god for cultivation of their crops. They have been growing three crops in a year. Earlier they were growing only maize and wheat. But now, cash crops like green fodder (barseem), onion, gram and vegetables have brought them prosperity.

Village development committee president Baryam Singh reveals that the Kandi Project had changed the fortunes of farmers of the village. Village residents came forward to take part in launching the project. They not only contributed but also helped in digging a 400-metre-long canal from Jabber rivulet. A sum of Rs 2 lakh was spent. The village folk worked with dedication and now get a perennial source of water for irrigation.

Significantly, the farmers have even decided to maintain a canal on their own. The farmers, who never dreamt of harvesting cash crops in their fields, had to buy green fodder for their livestock from distant places, but now they are growing and even selling fodder.

Mr S.K. Kalia, the project’s assistant director, says the farmers are being taught scientific techniques of irrigation by launching the integrated watershed project. Project officials also assist the farmers to improve the breed of milch cattle. Apart from this, the project officials have set up check-dams to curb soil erosion and revive traditional water resources in rural areas.

Chamba, March 3
Intellectuals and heritage conscious persons of the region have demanded the removal of the structure of tin roof over the rock sculpture raised by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently, which proves an eyesore to worshippers, tourists and others.

The rock sculpture on the hillock above Sarotha Nala on the outskirts of the town is one of the 19 ancient monuments and temples taken over by the ASI for preservation and conservation under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Devotees frequently visit the sculptures of Lord Rama and his family.

The ASI of late put up a shelter like structure over the sculpted rock that does not blend with the ancient monument and the environ.

The roof shelter of corrugated tin sheets, which looks like a small tin shed, besides obstructing glimpse from the opposite side, has marred the beauty, antiquity and sanctity of the sculpture.

Palampur, March 3
The IV World Congress on Environment Management will be held here on June 7 to 9 this year. The congress is being organised jointly by the World Environment Foundation, World Quality Council and World Council for Corporate Governance.

Disclosing this to mediapersons here this morning, Lieut-Gen J.S. Ahluwalia, (retd), leading environmentalist and Chairman of the organising committee, who was here to review the arrangements, said the main theme of the congress was “Sustainability Through Good Governance”.

He said over 20 countries, including Chile, Philippine, Iceland, Australia and England, had already confirmed their participation in the congress. Besides, 500 business leaders, policy makers and opinion leaders all over the world were also expected to participate in the convention.

Shimla, March 2
Mr Karan Singh, Minister of State for Science, Technology and Environment, inaugurated the “Centre for spatial environmental planning” here today.

With the inauguration of the centre, the pollution control board will be able to strengthen instruments and institutional basis for environmentally compatible and sustainable management of land and natural resources in this ecologically fragile Himalayan state.

Shimla, March 3
The Himachal Government has served a show-cause notice on the Board of Directors of the state cooperative bank headed by Mr K.K. Kaushal.

The show-cause notice has been given on the basis of an audit report conducted by the Registrar, Cooperative Societies.

It is said the board had also changed some conditions for a loan sanctioned to a reputed firm without referring the matter to the state government. The audit report has also pointed out other serious irregularities. The notice asks the board to explain within 10 days why it should not be suspended on the basis of reported irregularities detected in the audit report.
PTI

Nurpur, March 3
Mahinder Singh of Rihali village of Jawali subdivision heaved a sigh of relief when the Judicial Magistrate Ist Class here asked the Indora police to register a case against the in-laws of his daughter Sandesh Kumari on Friday who has been missing since January 11 from her in-laws house at Chalwara. Mahinder Singh had filed complaints with the Indora and Jawali police against the in-laws of his daughter. But his daughter could not be traced. Thereafter, he moved the judicial court in this connection.

According to information, Sandesh was married to Nand Lal six years ago. She had filed a sustenance allowance suit against her husband in the court of the sub judge here. The dispute between the husband and the wife was reconciled in a lok adalat.

In the meanwhile, the court gave an opportunity to them to live together for some time and directed them to appear before the court on January 11. But she had been missing from her in-laws house since January 3. Her father suspects that she had been murdered.

Solan, March 3
Three persons died on the spot and 15 were injured, 10 of them seriously, when a HRTC bus rolled down a 300-foot-deep khud near Sandoli, 6 km from Darlaghat, late last evening.

The dead had been identified as Tej Ram of Barog village, near Darlaghat, Megh Ram of Jhandu village in Sunni tehsil of Shimla district and bus driver Sheesh Ram. All 15 injured have been taken to the IGMC, Shimla.

The bus was on its way from Shimla to Chanog. The exact cause of the accident could not be ascertained but reports said that the “kutcha” link road had been rendered extremely slippery by a heavy rainfall described as one of the season heaviest downpours.

Additional District Magistrate Subhash Kalsotra announced an ex gratia grant of Rs 10,000 each to next of kin of the dead and Rs 2,000 each to 13 of the injured persons.